Improvement in riding-saddles



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

J. CHENOWETH, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

lMPROVEMENT lN RlDlNG-SADDLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 40,158, dated October 6, 1863.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J. GHENOWETH. of Fort Wayne, in the county ot' Allen and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Riding-Saddles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Fignre l represents a plan or top view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical seclion of the same, the line x, Fig. l, indicating the plane of section.

Similar letters of reference in both views itdcate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in the arrangement of two C-springs, one heilig secured to either side of a saddleetree and extending back over the cantle, in combination with two flat strips ot sheet metal hinged with their front ends to a staple inserted int-o the pommel, and with their rear ends to the loose ends ot' the C- springs in such a manner that on placing the seat upon said iiat strips an elastic seat is produced, either side ot' which is capable of accommodatingitselt' to the motions of the rider and of the horse independently of the other s de.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the drawings.

A represents a saddle-tree, made of wood or any other suitable material in the ordinary form and shape. B is the pommel, and U the cantle, of the tree. The foundation of the seat is formed by two fiat strips, D, of sheet metal, which extend from the pomme] in front to the cantle at the back of the tree. 'Iheir front -ends are hinged to the pommel by means of a staple, a, or in any other sultable manner,and their rear ends are forked and secured by pivots b to the loose ends of C-shaped springs E, one such spring being iirmly secured to either side of the said saddletree. These springs are made of tlat strips of sheet-steel or other suitable material, twisted at about the middle ot' their lengths, and bent in the form oi'a C, as clearly shown in Fig. l of the drawings, the curved portion of the springs being made to stand edgewise toward the surface of the tree. The strips D are curved to correspond to thedesired sweep of the seat, and by their connection with the Csprings E each strip is permitted to accommodate itself tothe motions ofthe rider and horse independentofthe other strip. By covering the strips and springs with a stout piece of leather a cheap, durable, and convenient saddle can be produced; and if it should bev desired to make a fancy saddle it can be made over this foundation as well as any other.

My present invention is applicable to saddle-trees of any description, and the strips D and springs E can be very easily accommodated to any saddle-tree, either new or old. The springs E and rear ends of the strips l) are concealed under a cap, F, ot' leather or other suitable material, and the seat G covers the front portion of the strips and tree, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The springs and strips are thereby completely protected against the iniiuence of moisture, and their action will not be interfered with by coming in immediate contact with the sides, body, or any portion of his dress. rlhe seat produced by the combined action of the strips D a-nd C-shaped springs E is not liable to lose its elasticity, and it is very easy in its action both for horse and rider.

I do not claim7 broadly, the use of springs in the construction of saddles; but,

Having thus described my invention, I claim as an improved article of manufacture- A riding-saddle provided on each side with a spring, E, bent in C shape, and connected at its loose end with the pommel B by means ot' the dat seat-strip D, all in the manner here' in shown and described.

J. CHENOVVETH.

Witnesses SAML. KENT, J No. McLArN. 

